Being a teenager in this day and age is very stressful. The consumer crazed society that pushed for everyone to want more really causes people, especially teens to focus on themselves and less on what truly matters.  It's interesting that while we think today's social desires are so critical and important, in a few years many of us will look on these fads and desires to ask why?  We're not designed to focus on THINGS even though our society measures a persons worth based on their possessions.

A good example of this is in the current health research.  Eggs and coffee are bad then a few years later, researchers come out saying they may be beneficial.  Look at the focus on obesity.  It's only been in the last few years that the noise level concerning this issue has become so loud that it's heard throughout society.  Problem is, it didn't develop into an epidemic overnight but you wouldn't know it by the number of people, media and talking heads that are now "so worried."

There seems to be a group of kids and teenagers who have problems fighting depression due to their ability to understand society at a deeper level that simply an overheated consumer engine.  These kids are the ones that rightly will ask why the uproar over trans-fat oil when schools continue to cut our physical education? 

Everyone agrees that being active helps with obesity so why not focus on something that will actually help with the problem instead of picking something stupid like trans-fat oil.  OK, the oil isn't good but in the full scheme of things, physical education is a 10 and trans fatty oil is maybe a 2.  Big deal!

Depression is a life long problem for many of us.  I've been suffering with depression and it's symptoms since my teen years almost 40 years ago.  Prescription drugs and counseling have not been able to alter my sense or awareness concerning injustice, greed, avarice and talking heads whose only desire is to be heard even if they have nothing to say.

One problem with depression is that even the medical profession cannot help but take an all knowing approach to the problem.  Current medication is designed to raise Serotonin levels in the brain which they THINK contributes to depression.  Problem is, depression is a SYMPTOM and not an illness.  So the drugs prescribed treat the symptom and are frankly ineffective for many. 

Children who find themselves depressed or anxious due to world conditions or their own situation should consider working toward recognizing that they may not be able to fix everything but they can fix something.  Even a step in the other direction can do a lot for someone with depression.  And don't let the symptoms keep you from making that change. 

Don't feel like going to read to kids---do it anyway
Don't want to go help the old neighbor with their lawns – do it anyway
Don't feel like going to the homeless shelter to help out? – do it anyway

Look at it this way, you're going to feel bad if you stay at home or go and do something positive so why not do something that might just make you feel better.  Remember you can't do everything but you CAN do something.

So take some time and help your children, no matter what age, to overcome the negatives that can drive anxiety. It can mean the difference between a life worth living and one plagued by anxiety disorder depression attacks.

If you think you have a teenager at risk and is exhibiting depression symptoms, you need to take action now.

Find a support group in your area and get some professional help for your teen. In addition, there are many natural supplements that have been known to help with the symptoms of depression.

Here's a few links to these types of products.

Take care and take action

Anxiety in Children